Arrival City presents a portrait of Liverpool, and more specifically Toxteth, as a city of immigration. Liverpool’s historic status as an important port city makes it one of the most unique ‘arrival cities’ in the UK, with many layers of history still making up the identities of people who have lived here for generations. This past has influenced the architectural character of the city - we walk through streets named after celebrated anti-abolitionists and past grand buildings paid for by slave-traders - but thriving areas such as Toxteth demonstrate the cultural power of community that run through these points of arrival. One of the questions Arrival City asks is: how does the past affect people’s ways of life in Liverpool?

Toxteth’s relationship with immigration is multi-layered, made up of different pasts and presents. This abundance of perspectives can be heard in the poetry, spoken word, and music of the area’s artists. Arrival City seeks to understand these points of difference through the timeless ritual of conversation: creating a space for exchange, whether through storytelling, poetry and music, or simply open discussion.

From April to June 2019, a series of events, an exhibition, five new films produced by Liverpool collective Leech Video and a newly commissioned zine from ROOT-ed will open up this space for exchange.